miter or table?

[duane ribron]

Hi everyone, I am kinda new again to woodworking, having returned after some time. My tools are limited, a small bandsaw, drill, router and table, and a miter that belongs to my brother in law. We'll he and my sister are planning to move in two months so he has asked for his saw back. So now I am going to have to buy something new or used.

 I am wondering if I should go with a miterr saw that has served me well, or a table saw. With the exception of ripping which I rairly ever need done, I feel that a miter saw serves most need better than a table saw. Well that and a router whjich I also have. Having said that I am wondering what all of you think might serve better a miter compound saw or a table saw. Keep in mind that I am limited to around 400.00 but no more.

 Thanks, Duane

[Robert J Guidry Sr]

Table Saw, You can do a lot of things with a table saw, Rip cuts cross cuts, dados make crown molding, etc. With a miter saw all you can do is cut across grain.

[duane ribron]

Can't I also do most of thouse things with a router? We'll other than ripping of course. I guess my big worrie is that I can't afford a 800.00 table saw. I have a limit of 400.00 and less would be better. I figure that I cvan get a decient MS in that price range. Can I also get a decient TS in the same price range?

[Robert J Guidry Sr]

Not knowing exactly what kind of work you are planning on doing, this is a hard question to answer. if you are only making small things, a miter saw might be what you need. You may be able to get by with a miter saw. If you are planning on making larger projects such as cabinets or entertainment centers, etc. you will need a table saw, or at least a skill saw with a straight edge for cutting panels.

Can you get a decent table saw for $400. You can get a decent table top saw in that range, but there are limitations to what you can do with these saws. I understand your problem, you have to start somewhere. If you can get by with a miter, get it, and maybe you will be able to afford a better saw later on.

This is only my opinion, in my shop I have 2 table saws and they are the most used tools in my shop.

duane ribron said:

Can't I also do most of thouse things with a router? We'll other than ripping of course. I guess my big worrie is that I can't afford a 800.00 table saw. I have a limit of 400.00 and less would be better. I figure that I cvan get a decient MS in that price range. Can I also get a decient TS in the same price range?

[Gary roofner]

If you need a ms and you have a sears with GMC General Machine Company saws left over you can get a sliding compound for $139 company went out bussiness heavy duty saw. I love mine didn't even have to touch the alignment. Our sears still has some. Did a search when I was looking very high ratings.

[duane ribron]

Well so far I have made only small furniture, and other items. I have no plans on any larger cabnitry. Possibly book shelfs at some point, and a console table for my wife. I guess that is why I have been questioning the need for a table saw. I'd love to have one, but with limited space and small projects like I am doing it might be much. On the other hand a TB can be usefull if I ever do a larger project. But quality concerns me, I just do not want to end up with a table saw that doesnt live up to futor needs because I couldn't afford a quality tool. And I know that I can get a decient MS in my price range.
I do have a Menards here in my area as well as homedepot and lowes. And I have seen the TB mentioned I just didn't know much about master force tools. Are they pretty well built? Worth the money? How are they compaired to others such as rigid, or dewalt?

[duane ribron]

Well dadoes are something I have never really pulled off well, so problebly wony in the futor. I dso like that hitchy MS and I'll look into the Master Force. I do have a MF random orbital sander thatr works great, so I guess giving them a shot is worth it.

[duane ribron]

I have done a few with my router. I'm just not very good at it. But then, most of my woodwork come out pretty shitty at best, I should just give it up, and find another past time, but I have fun with the tools. Just wish I didn't suck at it quit so much.

[Gary roofner]

The company that makes that mitersaw I been told was a well know industrial manufacture.
General machine company went out of business and sears liquidating there miter saws. I bought that and a mitersaw table with extentions and stops this helped me out a lot with getting pieces the same size. Look at this way your pieces have to be the same size so you have to have good stops. You can be off by a 1/6 of an but all pieces are off by a 1/16 it's still square. The stops are the key. Cut all pieces that are the same together square your fence to your stop. Cut a test piece and measure make sure its right if not adjust and cut another till its right some times takes couple cuts. Like they show in the one krig video after cutting flip the piece over is still tight fit. I'll take a picture of the setup. If you don't have a lot of money this mitersaw for $139 is good. I do not work for Sears. I believe this one of the best buys in tools. This is a sliding mitersaw.

[duane ribron]

That would be fine but the closest Sears is about 50 miles from me.

Gary roofner said:

The company that makes that mitersaw I been told was a well know industrial manufacture.
General machine company went out of business and sears liquidating there miter saws. I bought that and a mitersaw table with extentions and stops this helped me out a lot with getting pieces the same size. Look at this way your pieces have to be the same size so you have to have good stops. You can be off by a 1/6 of an but all pieces are off by a 1/16 it's still square. The stops are the key. Cut all pieces that are the same together square your fence to your stop. Cut a test piece and measure make sure its right if not adjust and cut another till its right some times takes couple cuts. Like they show in the one krig video after cutting flip the piece over is still tight fit. I'll take a picture of the setup. If you don't have a lot of money this mitersaw for $139 is good. I do not work for Sears. I believe this one of the best buys in tools. This is a sliding mitersaw.

[Gary roofner]

Here is the picture of the saw.

[duane ribron]

Nice looking saw! I found this one, but do not know if it is okay or not. http://www.harborfreight.com/12-inch-sliding-compound-miter-saw-wit...

[Gary roofner]

Got good reviews the need for a good table with stops this can be made or bought but thats what gets your pieces the same size. The ryobi I got was about $100 dollars at home depot.

duane ribron said:

Nice looking saw! I found this one, but do not know if it is okay or not. http://www.harborfreight.com/12-inch-sliding-compound-miter-saw-wit...